Hired to Kill

Nathan McBride #7

by Andrew Peterson

In this fast-paced thriller, special operative Nathan McBride battles the most treacherous enemy he’s ever faced―and the one hitting closest to home. After simultaneous deadly terror attacks on San Diego and the nation’s capital, Nathan learns that the mass murders weren’t random events―they targeted his family. And the threat is far from over. Part of a larger plot involving a sabotaged North Korean bioweapons facility and an ISIS training camp in northern Mexico, a third attack―bigger than 9/11―is being hatched by cold-blooded killers. With the US Border Patrol and the CIA supporting the mission, Nathan teams up with longtime family friend Vincent Beaumont, the CEO of America’s largest private military contractor. In a harrowing firefight, Nathan’s assault team will have to neutralize the terrorist cell, recover the weapons of mass destruction, and get them safely across the international border. The lives of thousands are at risk as Nathan weighs his lust for revenge against the most crucial part of the mission―taking the ringleaders alive―which might just cost him his life.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Audiobook, Suspense, Warriors, Action, Amazon

380 pages, Paperback

First published July 3, 2018

About the author

Andrew Peterson is the internationally bestselling author of the Nathan McBride series. Born and raised in San Diego, California, he attended La Jolla High School before enrolling at the University of Oklahoma, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Architecture.

An excellent marksman, he holds the classification of Master in the NRA’s High Power Rifle ranking system. His familiarity with weapons and dedication to research has resulted in many speaking engagements ranging from craft workshops to ATF canine demonstrations.

Andrew began writing fiction in 1990 and sold a short story, Mr. Haggarty’s Stop, to San Diego Writers Monthly in October, 1992. After attending his first writer’s conference in 2005, where he met Ridley Pearson, he became serious about writing the Nathan McBride stories.

FIRST TO KILL (FTK) is Andrew’s debut thriller which features Nathan McBride, the brutally effective, trained Marine scout sniper and former CIA operations officer. FTK was originally published in 2008 by Dorchester Publishing as a mass market paperback. Early in January 2011, Andrew signed with Thomas and Mercer. Then in 2012, FTK was re-released in trade paperback, eBook, and audiobook editions. FTK has been translated into six languages.

Andrew had the privilege of attending Operation Thriller II, a 2011 USO tour to Afghanistan where he personally thanked our troops for their service. He traveled with fellow authors Sandra Brown, Kathy Reichs, Clive Cussler and Mark Bowden. He considers the USO tour one of the highlights of his life. To date, Andrew has donated over 3,000 books to our troops serving overseas and to our wounded warriors recovering in Naval and Army hospitals worldwide.

When he’s not writing the popular Nathan McBride series, Andrew enjoys scuba diving, target shooting, flying helicopters, hiking and camping, and an occasional (and questionable) round of golf. Andrew and his wife, Carla, live in Monterey County, California with their two Giant Schnauzers.

Reviews

[Packleader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Know the series

I have loved and devoured all previous Nathan McBride stories. They have intrigued me as this character is strong, identifiable and the author has a great, easy style of reading in that it's a page turner. I will state one thing about this novel which I did not like us that Trump Pence were mentioned many times as part of the story. Great if you like them....not at all if you don't. I would be preferred the author create a different character names given the vitriol and divide in this country over politics and who is in office bc this IS fiction! However, it's duly noted he never put Obama in his previous novels so it's felt he got his political view intertwined here. To each their own but it made me not want to read the book. Very disappointed in that aspect. However, it's still good if you've read McBride before. Novel at first can be confusing in pulling all characters together but eventually it all comes together. Hopefully next time we can stick to only fiction.

[Jim Wessely · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too much Trump

I’ve enjoyed everyone of the Nathan McBride series until this latest one. In this day of political turmoil, fostering a Trump agenda in the book really took the thrill of the read out of it and I couldn’t separate the stench of the current White House from the pages of the book.

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have enjoyed this series and book seven has kept up the standard. This book can be read as a stand-alone.

The book is well written. The plot twists and turns with lots of suspense. The action is non-stop. In this book Nathan and Harvey face off against a Mexican cartel. Peterson includes some beautiful descriptions of the Sonora desert. This is a great- get-away-from-it-all book.

I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is eleven hours. Dick Hill does an excellent job narrating the series. Hill is a veteran audiobook narrator and has won many awards over the years.

[Dennis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Andrew Peterson seemed to forget that people read his books as an escape into fast paced, action packed stories. Instead he inserted so much politically divise nonsense it was almost unreadable. There’s no mistaking his right wing dog whistles are peppered from beginning to end. He hits all the hot buttons: North Korea, Mexican drug cartels and Isis all conspiring together to wreak havoc on an unsuspecting USA taking advantage of “porous” borders both Southern and Northern (the boogey men of the current administration). He then launches into not one, but two encounters in which armed civilians thwart Jihadist terror attacks because they are trained and armed (brought to you by the NRA?). There are way too many pseudo-moralistic musings as to how murder and torture are justified to protect the many. I could go on and on with other objectionable musings, but it would bore you just as this novel bored me. Two final notes: He portrays our current president (Trump) as decisive, contemplative, intelligent and empathetic (really?). Then he has one final passage about our current VP that I’m having difficulty categorizing. The hero of the book, Nathan McBride, is about to introduce his niece to the VP (Pence). Before doing so, he admonishes his 16- year- old niece to try not to drool on the VP’s shoes (because he's so dreamy?). That’s beyond creepy.
I hope AP gets back to writing fun to read, action packed thrillers and leaves the right- wing propaganda to the “pros” at Fox News.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

It become clear rather quickly that Andrew Peterson is a Trump/Pence supporter and he dislikes the "mainstream media". These issues and they are issues for me and other readers based on comments, kept me from giving this story 5 stars. I have loved this series and was so happy when I stumbled upon it but I'm now completely turned off.

[Lance King · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've read all the books in this series, and although I thought some of the interchanges between McBride and harv were redundant and over the top, I found the characters otherwise interesting and overall a good read. However, with this last offering you have lost a reader forever. When presenting the president in this story you could have simply said, "... the president..." or made up a name. Instead you choose to use the real current president and to try and portray him as a mature, thoughtful person when he is anything but those things. I don't want your bs politics foisted upon me - you have failed here as a writer and human being. Next...

[Kathi Defranc · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great thriller with fast-paced action in scenes we could see happening today! Nathan McBride returns facing some devastating moments as one rogue team attacks his friend's family at a mall while his father, sister and niece are attacked in a small diner! These actions have serious consequences as the intelligence community also learns that weapons of mass destruction are in the hands of ISIS, ready to be used on America!
The story has several areas that all come together , as Nathan and Vince Beaumont (head of a private military service), learn that their families were attacked as revenge for a kill years ago! This author has a wonderful way of keeping the action going on all sides, while letting us see the relationships between family of blood and of side by side comrades.
This is definitely easy to read as a stand alone book, but once you enter the adventures of Nathan McBride I believe you will by seeking out other books!
I received an ARC of this story from NetGalley and author Andrew Peterson, who I thank for this exciting read!!

[Greg Miller · Rating 2 out of 5]

OK

The characters should all be imaginary. I was interested in the book until I saw way too many references to a president by name. The author should have made up a name instead of using a real president’s name. I skipped to the end of the book at that point.

[Cindy Laporte]

I have read all the books in the Nathan McBride series.All of the other characters had fictional names.I was very disappointed that Trump and Pence were named and portrayed as caring.

[Rebecca Ridley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting

I love all the Nathan McBride books. There are always filled with a great plot, interesting characters, and lots of actions. However I didn't give this book as high of a rating because the author added his political preferences. I felt like he was using the main character to promote President Trumps crazy agendas. I think the story would have been another hit for me without that underlying message.

[Dorothy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’ve read all the other books in this series. And this will be the last one I read. Too much
heroic Trump, too little plot. As usual, Nate and Harv manage to take down the baddest of the bad in a chapter or two while wearing their invincible plot armor. Author got shots in at “mainstream media” and border wall funding. I’m out.

[Bookish Trina · Rating 5 out of 5]

#HiredToKill #NetGalley

I'm in love with the Nathan McBride series. Andrew Peterson does a fantastic job of having you hang on the end of your seat with this action-packed read. As a fan of the Nathan McBride, series I was excited to get my hands on this book which is the latest in the series. McBride never disappoints and that is true of this latest read. Bursting with action, internal struggles and a brotherhood between friends, this read was superior to the very last drop. Many things come together in the end to illuminate a masterpiece of action-packed awesomeness! Can't wait to see what happens in the next installment in the Nathan McBride series.

I received an advanced review copy (ARC) of this book from the publisher through NetGalley for my honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Kathi Defranc · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great thriller with fast-paced action in scenes we could see happening today! Nathan McBride returns facing some devastating moments as one rogue team attacks his friend's family at a m
all, while his father, sister and niece are attacked in a small diner! These actions have devastating consequences, as the intelligence community also learn of weapons of mass destruction are in the hands of ISIS, ready to be used on America!
The story has several areas that all come together, as Nathan and Vince Beaumont,( head of private military service), learn that their families were attacked as revenge.for a kill done years before. This author has a wonderful way of keeping the action going on all sides, while showing the relationships between family and those in the fight together.
This is definitely easy to read as a stand alone book, but once you read about Nathan McBride I believe you will be hurrying to read the others!!

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good and fast paced plot

I'm not the biggest fan of military type thrillers, so I know my opinions on this genre and this book specifically are biased. That being said, this had a good plot and I did enjoy many parts of the story. I like that the author was very detailed on how the characters felt, not just protagonists but even the "bad guys," and we got to see a little into their minds. I felt some characters and situations were a little too detailed, making it difficult to pay attention at times, which could be just me. I also have never read any of the previous books in this series, so that's a factor as well. The story played out pretty quickly and once the "action" bits started, it was a little easier to get into the story. The politics that were thrown in were a bit off putting, and I'm not sure if that's how the rest of these books are, but it just didn't fit for me.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard times for the McBride family, but that could be nothing compared to what the United States will face if a new WMD is set loose. The stakes are high this time around and no characters are safe from the fallout. Book #7 is a solid addition to the series and it with an impact on McBride that will be seen in upcoming books.

[Hel Ellison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the way the books reveals Nathan's thoughts and struggles. Also really like the insignificant bond between Nathan and Harvey.

[Marika Charalambous · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book, similar to the author's previous Nathan McBride stories. However, this book was more emotional than the other ones and it touches some of the main characters personally.

While I loved it, there was a part in it that I wish it weren't. That particular name shouldn't have had to be dropped, but it was, which took me out of the story right away. If you read the book, you'll know. Alas, 4 well-deserved stars.

[Kevin Stumpf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why include the first part of the plot/book in the grocery?…..I have NO IDEA.

This novel was ok. Not one of my favorite McBride books, but decent. Plot twists with some previous book characters (non-spoiler) were totally unexpected and shocking.

Why the need to mention President Trump and VP Pence, other than to stir the base? Unnecessary. Could have simply used the generic “President” and “VP” without names.

[chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

My enjoyment was diminished by his inclusion of President Trump in the story. Specifically, he portrayed Trump with behaviors appropriate to the office, which, I regret to say, Trump has never actually demonstrated. A fictional president would have been considerably better in a work of fiction.

[Brian Lassiter · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing. I've enjoyed all of the Nathan McBride books. But Mr. Peterson's blatant pro-Trump agenda seriously interfered with my enjoyment of this one.

[Mike Ellenstein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plot was good but the BS about Trump soured it for me. I seem to recall that Trump called dead soldiers "sucker and losers".

[Mike Nemeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Andrew Peterson starts "Hired to Kill," the seventh in the Nathan McBride series, with two massive action segments that set the tone for the rest of the novel. In both, McBride plays only a distant role, implicated only because his relationships to the victims. Security contractor Vincent Beaumont's family is targeted by terrorists for death at the same time another team of dirtbags goes after McBride's father, Sen. Stone McBride, in a restaurant across the country near the nation's capital. In both cases, the fast thinking of two women, Beaumont's wife and McBride's sister, prevent the losses from being more horrific. But this is just the start. McBride then becomes more of a focus and dominates the narrative from that point until resolution. He's beyond angry. The actions, which initially make little sense, push him almost to his breaking point, unleashing the anger, or "other," he keeps bottled up inside. Peterson does well explaining the harsh reality of the trauma soldiers and others who are put in life and death situations must face on a continual basis. The struggle of McBride with his darkness and depression gives dimension to an already rich story line. Suffice to say McBride goes after the bad guys after he and government operatives, including his girlfriend, figure out who's behind the killings. Peterson also includes subplots of surprising vitality and detail defining again what a master storyteller the guy can be. I'm talking about some border patrol agents who somehow fit into everything. I started this book in the morning and finished it that night, sneaking moments here and there to plow through the pages. And I had to work that day. I was busy. Really. But wow.

[John Purvis · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Hired to Kill" eBook was published in 2018 and was written by Andrew Peterson (https://www.andrewpeterson.com). Mr. Peterson has published seven novels with this being the seventh in his "Nathan McBride" series. 

I received an ARC of this novel through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this novel as ‘R’ because it contains scenes of Violence. The story is set in the contemporary US. The primary character is former US Marine sniper Nathan McBride. McBride has also served with as a CIA operative and is currently a private contractor. 

Deadly, but widely separated attacks against family and others close to McBride draw him into investigating the threat of a new terrorist attack against the US. ISIS operatives have obtained bioweapons developed in North Korea and are now plotting to release them in major US cities. It becomes a race to see if McBride and US forces can intercept the terrorists before the deadly weapon can be released.

I thoroughly enjoyed the 8+ hours I spent reading this 377 page thriller. While I have not read any of the prior novels in the series, this one read well as a stand-alone book. I liked the character of McBride and the plot stayed within the realm of believability that so many thrillers exceed. The cover art is OK, but I think better art could have been chosen. I give this novel a 5 out of 5.

Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.

[James Wirrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like most of the later McBride books, "Hired to Kill" also spends a lot of its time describing in minute detail a few major action scences, but relatively little in setting up the plot. In this book, Nathan and another security contractor friend of his, experience deadly attacks against their families. They soon discover who is behind these attacks and they take the bad guys out. That is pretty much the plot. Peterson delves a little more deeply in this book into Nathan's Christian faith, but he really only touches on it very briefly. Other reviewers seem upset that Peterson mentions President Trump by name, but I do believe that he made reference to President Obama in earlier pre-2016 books. Although Peterson doesn't build out his characters very much, Nathan, Harv and Holly are generally likeable. Overall, if you like the McBride series, you will like this book. Peterson is a very good action writer, but other than the action scenes, there's not a lot here. I have read that this may be the last McBride book that Peterson writes since he has announced his retirement from writing. That's too bad as i would continue the series.

[Anagha · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has a thicker plot than the previous one, so this technically deserves more stars than I gave the previous book.
It has the same old heavy-handed telling and retelling us about
1) Harv and Nathan's unbreakable bond
2) Their sensitive souls - how Nathan will stop to help a stray dog, how he never discriminates on the basis of skin color
3) How each killing scars their souls every single time (and this while killing trigger-happy henchmen who will kill Nathan and his comrades if given an opportunity)

What was new was calling a 16 year old niece stunning. And something along the lines of how it was surprising that at 16 she hadn't lost the beauty (and intelligence) she had at 12. Are 12 year olds inherently more attractive to the author? Strange choice of adjectives. (See exact quote in the highlights).

Another thing that bothered me was - halfway through the book they completely forgot about the woman and child Nathan saved from domestic abuse in the first couple of chapters. Did they stay safe? Did they get the help they needed? I hope this loose end is tied up in the next book.

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 7th in the Nathan McBride series and a pretty darn good action novel. A Mexican cartel drug lord targets the family and friends of McBride – and there’s a particularly EVIL coyote and smuggler. (The book is very violent in parts. It’s difficult to read as innocents – women and children – are being killed.) What’s more, ISIS, supported by the cartel, is ready to implement an attack on the US population. Nate McBride, along with his buddy Harv Fontana, are “hired to kill” these criminals by the US government. It’s payback time. As always, there’s a lot of tactical info and bullets flying as well as a dramatic standoff.

What captivated me though was the poignant manner – remembering that this is an ‘action novel’ – McBride deals with both his alcoholism and friendship with Fontana. … … OK. OK. So the drama may be closer to melodrama, but I can overlook it. Actually, I thought the series was on the downward decline – but not anymore. Not only is this my favorites in the series, but if it were the final book, I would feel pleased with the conclusion.

[Helen Callahan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hired to Kill, book 7, The Nathan McBride series. A bit of a wait from what book 6 BUT author Andrew Peterson delivers a book WORTH THE WAIT!!! This entire thriller series keeps readers enthralled from cover to cover. Masterful adventure of unpredictability. Action and Suspense! Destruction and Mayhem! Emotional connection with main character Nathan McBride (and his close knit group of supporting characters) keep readers coming back for each new enstallment. No spoilers... The book discription and reviews are a place to start BUT this is a Must Read SO, GET STARTED NOW!!! I read this book on Kindle Unlimited. Do wish all political names had been fictional. The Nathan McBride series - 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[James Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the seventh book in the Nathan McBride series and I think the first half of the book was some of his best writing yet. It was very Tom Clancy (non ghost-writing years) like. He started to weave together several independent stories together and it kept my interest easily. However, about midway through the book, it seemed like the author ran out of ideas and just wanted to get to the end of the novel. The second half felt rushed and poorly developed. President Trump is the president in this novel and though he has an extremely minor congratulatory role at the end of this novel I think it would be accurate to his character. Overall, entertaining in the spy/action novel genre.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first Nathan McBride story I have read but it won't be the last. The story offers plenty of fast pace action. There are terrorist attacks in San Diego and DC about the same time. Nobody knows who is behind it. Nathan & Harv are drawn in because this attack is personal for them. They will do anything they can to help find who is behind these attacks and what is next.
The border patrol are having their problems too. El Lobo is causing them lots of trouble with some deaths and injuries to people on our side. Can this all come together to find out how to stop it all? The book will keep you engaged in the story from front to back.

[Randee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really have enjoyed this series until this book. As Nathan McBride struggles to deal with the past, the first six books really showed his evolution and the strength of his support team. While I get he will need to continually evolve to mentally survive, the fact that he has now found God (traditional, Christian God) has place him here and me waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay over here. That's cool for those who feel this is the best next step, but I think there were other ways to handle it that would be less exclusionary. By that I mean I have no interest in reading about McBride's prayers, sermons in church or other religious activities in #8 or future books. Just me though.